Early arrival

Meyer returns to coach practice

By Jim Naveau - jnaveau@limanews.com

COLUMBUS — Offensive coordinator Ryan Day got lots of questions about Urban Meyer’s big day and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano answered a lot of inquiries about big plays when they pinch hit for Meyer at Ohio State’s weekly football press conference on Monday.

Meyer returned to coaching OSU in practice Monday but remains suspended from coaching in games until the fourth game of the season.

Meyer no doubt arrived very early Monday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility but Day was not sure just how early it was.

“I don’t know (what time). I know he was excited to get back here,” Day said.

“We had a meeting earlier this morning and he has been meeting with some of the players, so things are back to normal.

“A lot of the coaches hadn’t seen him much so there was embracing and ‘Great to see you back,’ and then we had our meeting and it was back to business as normal. He talked to the staff about moving forward.”

There were very few offensive deficiencies for Ohio State in its 77-31 win over Oregon State in its opener last Saturday. But the defense allowed touchdown runs of 80 and 78 yards and a 49-yard touchdown pass.

Schiano said 82 percent of Oregon State’s total offense came on seven plays.

Obviously, big plays are something OSU’s defense is working on going into Saturday’s game against Rutgers on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

“We’ll be better for it but we’ve got to be better for it very quickly,” Schiano said.